The Perfect Law

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...delusion which is responsible for the continuation of the cycle of rebirth original: transmigrations and the experiences of pain and pleasure. In order to achieve liberation, perfection, and eternal bliss, a soul must sever all connections with the "non-self." When this connection with the non-self is completely broken, the State of Perfection original: Siddha-pada is attained.

Right Belief, Right Knowledge, and Right Conduct have been addressed from two points of view: the absolute original: real and the practical.

The absolute path is the only certain and direct route, while the practical path serves as a helpful means to reach the absolute. The true path of liberation is found in being fully absorbed within the self.

Attachment and hatred—which include all passionate thought activities—are the main causes of karmic bondage In Jainism, karma is viewed as physical matter that sticks to the soul due to passions, while non-attachment or pure thought leads to freedom from this bondage.

1. Practical Right Belief is a true and firm faith in the Trustworthy Authority original: Apta (the all-accomplished, all-knowing source of all knowledge), in the Scripture original: Agama (the written teachings that first came from the omniscient beings), and in the Principles original: Tattvas; the fundamental categories of reality.

The Trustworthy Authority original: Apta must possess three special characteristics:

(a) Freedom from all human defects such as hunger, fear, anger, and delusion; (b) All-knowing wisdom original: Omniscience; and (c) The spontaneous, effortless sharing of truth. Such are the Worthy Ones original: Arhats, the adorable Lords, the most prominent of whom are the twenty-four Ford-makers original: Tirthankaras; the great spiritual teachers who "make a ford" across the river of worldly life.

The Scripture original: Agama is the sacred text composed by highly learned and spiritually advanced saints based on the teachings that came from the Worthy Ones original: Arhats. These scriptures are perfect and free from any contradictions.

The Principles original: Tattvas, categories, or substances are seven in number: (1) the Soul original: Jiva, (2) the Non-soul original: Ajiva; inanimate matter, (3) Inflow original: Asrava; the flow of karmic matter into the soul, (4) Bondage original: Bandha, (5) the Stoppage of Inflow original: Samvara, (6) the Shedding of Karma original: Nirjara; the removal of previously accumulated karmic matter, and (7) Liberation original: Moksha from all karmic contact.

All that exists is included in one of these two principles: soul or non-soul. While a person is alive, it is the soul within the body that perceives and knows all things. A body without a soul is incapable of perceiving or knowing anything. Material objects such as a pen, table, or chair cannot feel or know anything. They are unconscious original: unclear or inanimate substances.